The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has appealed to Nigerian youths planning the upcoming #EndBadGovernance protests scheduled for August to give the Federal Government more time to address the economic issues affecting the country.
The monarch highlighted that the economic hardships experienced in Nigeria are part of a global phenomenon, urging patience with President Bola Tinubu’s administration as it works to correct inflationary challenges.
“The agitation is real, we have a lot of suffering in the country but not only in Nigeria; it is a global phenomenon,” Oba Ogunwusi said during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme. He stressed the importance of appealing to protesters to allow the government time to implement solutions, noting that the inflationary pressures are not unique to Nigeria.
While acknowledging the citizens’ right to protest, the Ooni cautioned against the destruction of public and private properties during the demonstrations, reminding that such actions would ultimately harm the citizens.
The planned protests, driven by economic hardship and gaining momentum on social media, are expected to take place across all states and the Federal Capital Territory in August. The recent removal of petrol subsidies and the unification of forex windows have exacerbated the economic situation, leading to soaring prices of food and basic commodities.
Despite warnings from the police, military, and the Department of State Services against Kenya-styled protests, and appeals from politicians to postpone the rallies, many youths remain resolute in their decision to protest.
